Here's a quick overview
Metrc's Retail ID adds a scannable QR code to packages upstream, so you can identify a package instantly instead of typing in a UID.
Scan the code in the iPad app to build a cart, pack an order, or add a product to a cycle count.
Scan the code in Meadow Admin to create a reconciliation, add a product to a cycle count, create an inventory transfer, or search for a package or transaction.
If a package doesn't have a Retail ID, print a Meadow package label instead — it scans the same way.
What is Metrc Retail ID?
Metrc Retail ID is a serialized, item-level QR code system used in the cannabis industry, issued by Metrc. Producers and distributors can print a Retail ID on packages before they reach you. It lets Meadow read a package's Metrc UID with a scan instead of a manual lookup — useful anywhere you already work with Metrc packages, like Packing product, cycle counts, and order fulfillment.
Not every brand or distributor applies a Retail ID to their packaging, and you can't create a Retail ID yourself — it's issued by Metrc and applied upstream. If a package arrives without one, print a Meadow package label for it instead, so you can still scan it.
Scanning in the iPad app
Use a Socket scanner or the iPad camera to scan a Retail ID code anywhere you'd normally search for a product or package.
Build a cart in POS — Scan a package to add the matching product straight to the cart.
Pack an order — In the Packing Tool, scan to confirm or swap the package fulfilling an order. See Use scanning at POS, Packing Tool for the full walkthrough.
Add to a cycle count — Scan a package to add its product to an open cycle count.
Scanning in Meadow Admin
In Admin, scanning works the same way — it finds the package or product tied to that Retail ID code.
Create a reconciliation — Scan a package to start a reconciliation for it. See How to use reconciliations.
Add to a cycle count — Scan to add a product to an open count.
Create an inventory transfer — Scan a package to start a transfer for it.
Search received packages — On the Metrc received packages list, scan into the search bar to find a package. Use the product-level search bar or the package-level search bar depending on what you're looking for.
Search inventory transactions — Scan into the search bar on the inventory transactions list to find matching transactions.
If one code matches more than one package
Some Metrc packages share the same Retail ID QR code. If you scan a code tied to more than one package, Meadow asks you to pick which product or package you're selling from or working with before it continues.
Printing a Meadow label when there's no Retail ID
Find the Metrc package in Meadow.
Click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner.
Click Print Label.
This generates a Meadow package label with its own scannable QR code — it works the same way as scanning a manufacturer-applied Retail ID.
- How do I use Label Printing? (Meadow Label)
Common questions
Do I need Retail ID to use scanning in Meadow?
No. Scanning by product barcode or Metrc UID still works everywhere it did before. Retail ID is an additional way to identify a package faster.
What if a package doesn't have a Retail ID?
You can't create a Retail ID yourself — it's issued by Metrc and applied upstream by the producer or distributor. Instead, print a Meadow package label: find the package, click the three-dot menu (⋮) in the top-right corner, and click Print Label. Meadow can scan that label the same way.
What happens if a scan matches multiple packages?
Meadow shows you the matching packages and asks you to choose the right one before continuing.